HSE to ban e-cigarettes from hospital grounds

The HSE is to ban e-cigarettes from hospitals and other health centres from May 1.

It says the decision follows a detailed safety review and because 'vaping' poses a challenge to enforcing a Smoke-Free Campus policy.

The health authority says it can only recommend safe and effective products for quitting smoking, and currently there is no conclusive evidence that e-cigarettes fit into that category.

The Tobacco Free Research Institute welcomed today's announcement.

Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, national director of health and well-being at the Health Service Executive (HSE), said the decision followed a detailed review of the safety and impact of e-cigarettes.

“The HSE can only recommend safe and effective products and strategies for quitting smoking, and there currently is no conclusive evidence that e-cigarettes are safe for long-term use, or are effective as a smoking cessation aid,” she said.

“While we will keep this evidence under ongoing review, the e-cigarettes ban is being introduced as e-cigarettes pose a challenge to smoke-free campus enforcement and come with safety concerns for a healthcare environment.”